Three drum winder

ABSTRACT

A winder for a web of sheet material which operates continuously without the start-stop winding operations characteristically associated with the prior art. The winder uses three revolvably driven drums which drive a pair of spaced, parallel core shafts. A web of sheet material is fed over a portion of the center drum and is continuously wound alternately upon first one core shaft until a roll is formed thereon and then the other core shaft.

States i Elite Diltz [45] Mar. 4, 1975 THREE DRUM WTNDER [75] lnventor:Jack L. Diltz, Beloit, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Beloit Corporation, Beloit, Wis.

[22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1.973

21 Appl. No.: 408,537

[52] US. Cl. 242/56 R, 242/66, 242/67.l R, 242/74 [51] llnt. C1 1365b19/20, B65h 17/08 [58] Field of Search 242/56 R, 66, 65, 67.1 R, 242/74[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,406 8/1931 Cannard242/67.1 R

1,868,115 7/1932 Mu1ligan.... 242/67.1 R

1,870,224 8/1932 Berry 242/66 2,567,387 9/1951 Link 242/74 X 2,670,1522/1954 Priest l 242/66 3,047,248 7/1962 Birch 242/56 R PrimaryE.\'anzinerEdward J. McCarthy Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross,Simpson, Van Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT A winderfor a web of sheet material which operates continuously without thestart-stop winding operations characteristically associated with theprior art. The winder uses three revolvably driven drums which drive apair of spaced, parallel core shafts. A web of sheet material is fedover a portion of the center drum and is continuously wound alternatelyupon first one core shaft until a roll is formed thereon and then theother core shaft.

25 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATEN'I'EUHAR 4W5 3.869.095

sum u or 5 THREE DRUM WINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BRIEF SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatus and methodwhich is adapted to operate at a continuous speed without the productiondifficulties associated with stopping a winder to thread it, thenbringing it up to an operating speed, winding a roll, followed by a slowdown for finishing and/or removing the wound roll. By the presentinvention, a web of paper or the like I is fed to a winder of thepresent invention, brought up to a center drum which guides the web toone of two core shafts upon which the web is wound until a desired rollis formed. Next, the web is cut and guided by the center drum to thesecond core shaft upon which the web is wound until another desired rollis formed and the procedure is repeated back to the first core shaft.Finished rolls are transferred away.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and a methodfor winding which alleviates the start-stop winding operations known tothe prior art.

Another object is to provide a winder which operates continuously and ata constant speed, including a drum subassembly therefor.

Another object is to provide a winder to which a web of paper or thelike from a paper machine, parent roll, or the like is continuously fedand wound upon winding cores sequentially.

Another object is to provide various apparatus embodiments of acontinuous winder using three rolls and two core shafts.

Another object is to provide a process for continuous winding of a webof sheet material upon to a succession of core shafts.

Other and further objects, purposes, advantages, utilities, and featureswill be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thepresent specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified, side elevational diagrammatic view of oneembodiment of a winder of the present invention at the start of a rollwinding operation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodiment near theend of such a roll winding operation as started in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagrammatic view in side elevation of the webcutting assembly employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is another view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodimentnear the start of a roll winding operation upon the other core shaftthereon as the previous roll is being removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 1 but showing such embodiment atthe close of a roll removal operation during winding ofa roll upon suchother core shaft;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view in side: elevation showing the embodimentofFlGS. 1-5 as a roll is being wound upon such other core shaft;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VII-VII ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a simplified, side elevational, diagrammatic view of anotherembodiment of the present invention at the start of a roll windingoperation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing such embodiment near theend of such a roll winding operation as started in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is another view similar to FIG. 8 but showing such embodimentjust before a roll winding operation starts upon the other core shaftthereon as the web is being severed and as the previous roll is startingto be removed;

FIG. 11 is a simplified, side elevational, diagrammatic view of stillanother embodiment of the present invention at the start of a rollwinding operation upon one core shaft thereon;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing such embodiment nearthe end of such a roll winding opera tion as started in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing such embodiment just beforea roll winding operation starts upon the other core shaft thereon as theweb is severed and as the previous roll starts its removal movement; and

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view longitudinally taken through oneembodiment of a center drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7 there is seen athree drum winder of the present invention herein designated in itsentirety by the numeral 20. Winder 20 utilizes three axially revolvablymounted drums 21, 22 and 23. Each drum 21, 22 and 23 at its opposite endportions is equipped with a pair of axially aligned opposed stub shafts24, 25 and 26, respectively (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Each pair of stubshafts 24, 25 and 26 is journalled for rotational movements in pairs ofbearing assemblies 28, 29 and 30, respectively.

Each pair of such bearing assemblies 28, 29 and 30 at opposite ends ofthe drums 21, 22 and 23 is supported by a pair of horizontal I beams 31in the frame which supports winder 20.

Each of drums 21, 22 and 23 has generally cylindrical side wall portions33, 34 and 35, respectively. In winder 20, the axes 36, 37 and 38 ofrespective drums 21, 22 and 23 are generally horizontally aligned withone another and are in spaced, parallel relationship with each other.The side wall portions 33, 34 and 35 of each respective drum 21, 22 and23 are in adjacent, spaced re- A conventional drive means (not shown) isprovided to drive rotatably the drum 22 at a substantially constantspeed in one direction of rotation.

In an operating winder 20, a pair of vacuumizable, axially revolvablymounted core shaft members 40 and 41, which can be of a conventionalsort, are provided. One such core shaft 40 is positioned with itscircumferential side walls 42 supported both by one outermost drum 21and by the third drum 22, while the other such core shaft 41 ispositioned with its circumferential side walls 43 supported both by theother of the outermost drums 23 and by the third drum 22. The drum 22 isthus adapted to rotatably drive the core shaft members 40 and 41respectively during operation of winder 20. In turn, core shaft members40 and 41, respectively, drive rolls 21 and 23 in an operating winder20. Each of the core shafts 40 and 41, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7,has, at its opposite ends, terminal stub shafts 86 mounted in respectivepairs of bearing assemblies 87.

In winder 20, each of the vacuumizable core shafts 40 and 41 isconventionally vacuumized by having its respective cylindrical workingsurface portions 42 and 43 formed with a plurality of apertures 39therein. For example, these aperatures 39 can communicate with interiorchannels which, in turn, interconnect with an input orifice 85 definedin the stub shaft assembly 86 thereof.

Each of the core shafts 40 and 41, during operation of winder 20, isfitted with a concentric sleeve 88 which can be formed of moldedplastic, pressure laminated layers of paper, or the like, and whosecylindrical circumferential walls carry a plurality of perforations 89.The interior surface of each sleeve 88 is adapted to engage cylindricalsurface portions 42 and 43 of respective core shafts 40 and 41 and topermit reduced pressures to be exerted on the exterior surface ofsleeves 88 mounted on core shafts 40 and 41 through perforations 89therein coacting with apertures 39 in core shafts 40 and 41. After awinding operation on winder 20, a sleeve 88 is removed with a finishedroll, and a new sleeve 88 is inserted over an end of core shaft 40 or41, as the case may be.

During operation of the winder 20, it is necessary to raise verticallythecore shaft members 40 and 41 as a web 75 of sheet material is woundover such shafts 40 or 41 depending upon which shaft is being wound. Toaccomplish such a raising, each of the bearing assemblies 87 is equippedwith a radially extending arm having an enlarged head portion 90. Eachof the two such head portions 90 is mounted about the sides of each of adifferent one of a pair of vertically mounted, laterally spaced crosssectionally C-shaped bars or rails 45 with each head portion 90extending into a slot 91 longitudinally formed in each bar 45. Each bar45 is vertically mounted adjacent bearing assemblies 87. Each of thebearing assemblies 87 is engaged on its bottom surface with the head orend of a piston 46 of a pneumatic cylinder 47, each cylinder 47 beingmounted for vertical extension and retraction movements of the piston 46thereof adjacent respective bars 45. Thus, when a pair of pistons 47each a termination under a different one of the pair of bearingassemblies or pillow blocks 87 for each of a core shaft member 40 or 41,as the case may be, is actuated, such core shaft 40 or 41 is raisedvertically with head portions 90 riding along bars 45. The combinationincluding such head portions 90, slots 91 in the C-shaped bars 45, andpistons 46 of cylinders 47 thus provides an extensible support means foreach of the bearing assemblies 87 of the core shaft members 40 and 41 sothat such may be raised upwardly away from the drums 21, 22 and 23 withthe axes 92 of core shaft 40 remaining equally distant from both thethird drum 22 and the drum 21, and the axis 93 of core shaft 41remaining equally distant from both the third drum 22 and drum 23.

'A pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls 49 and 50 areprovided. Rider roll 49 is adapted to have its circumferential sidewalls 94 contact initially a side wall portion of sleeve 88 mounted oncore shaft 40 and rider roll 50 is adapted to have its circumferentialside walls (not detailed in FIG. 6) contact a side wall portion ofsleeve 88 (mounted on core shaft 41). In operation of the winder 20,each of the rider rolls 49 and 50 is thus driven by the rotationalmovements of respective core shaft members 40 and 41, respectively.Also, a rider roll 49 or 50 serves to position and guide a core shaft 40or 41, respectively, as a web of sheet material is being wound thereonduring operation of the winder 20.

To raise the rider rolls 49 and 50 alternately (depending upon which ofthe respective core shafts 40 or 41 is being wound with a web 75) duringoperation of the winder 20, extensible support means therefor isprovided. Thus, for example, for the stub shaft 49a at each end of riderroll 49 (see FIG. 7), a bearing assembly 52 is provided. Each bearingassembly 52 is equipped with a radially outwardly extending clampingfoot portion 53. Each such foot portion 53 slidably engages a rail 54,there being one such rail 54 at each respective end of each rider roll49 and 50 positioned to guide the upward movements of such respectiverolls 49 and 50. The rails 54 thus permit the axes of the respectiverolls 49 and 50 to move upwardly and downwardly diagonally alongprechosen respective paths, each such paths being more inclined than therespective translational paths followed by the axes 92 and 93,respectively of core shafts 40 and 41 as such core shaft axes and suchrider roll axes rise to increasing heights above the drums 21, 22 and 23as a web 75 is (alternately) wound over core shafts 40 and 41 duringoperation of the winder 20. The foot portion 53 of each bearing assembly52 is preferably adapted to make engagement with each of the rails 54in'a locking configuration.

To regulate such translational movements of rider rolls 49 and 50, apneumatic cylinder 55 is provided, each cylinder being equipped with apiston 56, one such cylinder 55 being at each end of each rider roll 49and 50, respectively, with the piston 56 being engaged with foot portion53. Each of the cylinders 55 has its axis inclined at an anglecomparable to that associated with the axis of each adjacent respectiverail 54. Each of the pistons 56 of respective cylinders 55 is initiallyin an extended position with respect to its associated rider roll 49 and50, respectively (rolls 49 and 50 initially resting along core shafts 40and 41, respectively).

As a roll of a web 75 develops in a winding operation upon a core shaft40 or 41, the rider roll 49 or 50, respectively, moves upwardly, and thepistons 56 are retracted away from the drums 21, 22 and 23 by cylinders55. In this way, a predetermined pressure is maintainable between theside wall portions of the respective rider rolls 49 and 50 relative to aroll of a web 75 of sheet material being wound alternately uponrespective ones of the core shaft members 40 and 41. The combination offoot portion 53, rails 54, cylinders 55 and pistons 56 thus provides adesired extensible support means for each of the rider rolls 49 and 50for a winder 20. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatextensible support means employed in a winder can be of any convenientconstruction for core shafts 40 and 41 and rider rolls 49 and 50,respectively.

An axially revolvably mounted pusher roll 58 is provided. The pusherroll 58 is positioned above, and in coaxially spaced relationship to,the drums 21, 22 and 23. The pusher roll 58 is adapted to function as aguide roll during a winding operation on either one of the core shaftmembers 40 or 41. The pusher roll 58 is further adapted to function as awound roll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one ofthe core shaft members 40 or 41.

Although any convenient construction may be used, in the embodimentshown, the pusher roll 58 is supported at its opposite end portions fromstub shafts 60 (paired). Each stub shaft 60 is journalled for rotationalmovements within an upstanding arm 59 which depends at its upper end,from the side wall of each of a pair of horizontally mounted pneumaticcylinders 61. Each cylinder 61 is of the conventional double acting typeand is equipped with a pair of generally coaxial, oppositely extendingpiston members 62 and 63, respectively. The outer end of each coaxialpiston 62 and 63 is fixed. Lateral movements of the pusher roll 58 arethus initiated and controlled by the activation of cylinder 61 so thatthe pusher roll 58 is moved in a left-hand or right-hand direction asdesired or necessary during operation of winder 20. A pusher roll 58 maybe equipped with another pair of cylinders (not shown) with associatedguide means (not shown) to permit vertical extension and retractionmovements of a pusher roll 58, which aids one desiring to use a pusherroll 58 both as a guide roll and as a wound roll shifter, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a pusher roll 58 may beprovided with a brake assembly (not shown) to aid in stopping rotationof a finished roll and in discharging a roll from a winder. The brakealso improves the safety of the preferred three position control of awound roll in a winder of this invention and aids in reducing orcontrolling rotational speeds associated with a roll being wound on awinder of this invention.

A pair of stationary vacuum boxes 65 and 66, respectively, are eachlocated within the third drum 22, such boxes 65 and 66 each openingadjacent the inside circumferential perforated side wall of the thirddrum 22. Each one of such vacuum boxes 65 and 66 is circumferentiallyspaced from the other thereof within drum 22, and each one terminates ata horizontally extending position along the circumference of the thirddrum 22 which just precedes the horizontally extending position where adifferent one of the core shaft members 40 and 41 contacts the thirdroll 22 initially. Each one of these stationary vacuum boxes 65 and 66is adapted to exert as desired a subatmospheric pressure through theadjacent circumferential surface portion of the third drum 22 movingthereover during operation of the winder 20. These vacuum boxes 65 and66 may be generally conventionally constructed, as those skilled in theart will appreciate.

A pair of stationary pressurized boxes 68 and 69, respectively, are eachlocated within the third drum 22,

such boxes 68 and 69 each opening adjacent the inside circumferentialperforated side wall of the third drum 22. Each one of such pressurizedboxes 68 and 69 is circumferentially spaced from the other thereofwithin drum 22 and each one terminates at a horizontally ex tendingposition along the circumference of the third drum 22 which justsucceeds the horizontally extending position where a different one ofthe core shaft members 40 and 41 contacts the third. roll 22 initially.Each stationary pressurized box 68 and 69 is in an adjacent, abuttingrelationship to a vacuum box 65 and 66. Each one of the stationarypressurized boxes 68 and 69 is adapted to exert as desired asuperatmosphcric pressure through the adjacent circumferential surfaceportion of the third drum 22 moving thereover during operation of thewinder 20. These pressure boxes 68 and 69 may be generallyconventionally constructed, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

In order to vacuumize each of the vacuumizable core shaft members 40 and41 as well as each of the vacuum box means 65 and 66, as desired, aconventional source of vacuum is provided (not shown). Thus, a vacuumpump may be employed which is interconnected with such components to bevacuumized by appropriate tubing and valves (not detailed).

Similarly, means is provided for pressurizing each of the pressurizedstationary boxes 68 and 69 (not shown). Conveniently, such apressurization may be accomplished by using a compression pump which isinterconnected with such components to be pressurized by appropriatetubing and valves (not detailed).

Similarly, means is provided to operate pneumatic cylinders, such as 47,55 and 61 (not shown), which conveniently may be a conventional air pumpassembly or the like. In place of pneumatic cylinders, one may employhydraulic cylinders, in which event a source of hydraulic fluid pressureis employed, all as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.

Web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material tothe third drum 22 is provided. In winder 20, the web guide meansincludes the combination of guide rollers 71, 72 and 73, respectively,which are of conventional construction. Threading may be accomplished byusing the machine rope system At the end of formation of a roll 98 on acore shaft 40 or 41 using the winder 20, it is necessary to sever,break, cut, or the like, an oncoming stream of webbing material 75before starting a web winding operation on the other such core shafts 40or 41. Such a severance can be accomplished by any conventional means.One suitable form of cutting device comprises an assembly 76 whichincludes (referring to FIG. 3) a shaft 77 having mounted thereon a pairof axially spaced, axially mounted disc members 78 and 79, respectively.Between the circumferential outer edge portions of the disc members 78and 79 is extended a wire 80. When a web 75 is brought over the shaft 77during operation of assembly 76, the wire 80 cuts the web 75 along adiagonal path, as shown in FIG. 3. This diagonal path is desirable inthe operation of the winder 28 since it per mits a portion of web 75 tobe continuously engaged with third roller 22 at all times during thesevering operation and start of a new roll winding operation upon eitherof the two core shaft members 40 or 41, as the case may be. Anyconvenient cutting device may be employed in the practice of thisinvention, or equiva lent.

A completed, wound roll 98 of web 75 on either a core shaft 40 or 41 isheld by three contact regions longitudinally extending along itscircumferential surface; these contact regions are provided,respectively, by, for example, in FIG. 2, roll 22, roll 23, and roll 50.However, in removing a wound roll 98 from the winder 20, pusher roll 58is moved into position against the completed roll 98 and moves suchcompleted wound roll 98 away from drum 22. Drum 22 revolves at aconstant speed at all times during operation of the winder 20. Afterpusher roll 58 has moves such completed roll 98 out of contact withcenter drum 22, the rotational movements of such completed roll 98 arebraked to decelerate the rotating wound roll 98. Such deceleration isaccomplished conveniently by decelerating outer drums 21 or 23,depending upon which one is adjacent a wound roll 98 or 99. Todecelerate drums 21 or 23, each drum 21 and 23 is equipped with a brake117 and 118, respectively. Alternatively, or additionally, as desired,rolls 49 and 50 may be each equipped with a brake. Conventional brakeassemblies can be employed. For example, referring to FIG. 7, drum orroll 49 may be equipped with a disc brake assembly designated in itsentirety by the numeral 112. Assembly 112 employs a disc 113 having ahub connection 114 mounted on stub shaft 49a. A caliper assembly 114fits over the outer rim portions of disc 113, and the caliper assembly114 includes the usual disc brake hydraulically operated piston andbrake pads (not detailed).

Thus, to remove a completed wound roll 98 or 99 of web 75 upon a coreshaft 40 or 41, respectively, from the winder 20, a full roll widthplate 82 is positioned adjacent roll 21, and another full roll widthplate 83 is positioned adjacent roll 23, each plate 82 or 83 beingoutwardly extending at opposite ends of the outermost drums 21 and 23,respectively. Each such plate 82 or 83 is adapted to receive and supporta decelerated and non-rotating completed wound roll 98 or 99 and tocradle such laterally (transversely) outwardly from the respective drum21 or 23 to a conventional conveyor pick up assembly, such as 96 (seeFIG. not detailed herein and not part of the present invention), or thelike, as those skilled in the art will appreciate. Each plate 82 and 83is, in winder 20, pivoted by means of a pair of pistonequipped pneumaticcylinders 119 (one pair for each plate 82 and 83 about a pair of pivotshafts 82a and 83a, respectively laterally outwardly extending inopposed relationship from each plate 82 and 83 into a journaled,appropriate engagement with frame members of winder 20. Any convenientmeans may be employed to receive and transfer a non-rotating or even arotating finished wound roll 98 or 99 from a winder and to some sort ofconveyor means, as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Conventional control means (not detailed) is provided for operatingcooperatively, functionally, and sequentially the elements of winder 20,including the extensible support means, the vacuum box means, the meansfor pressurizing, the cutting means, the pressure roll means, the webrider rolls, and the like, so as to adapt a winder 20 to wind a web 75of sheet material continuously and uniformly on first one, then theother, of core shaft members 40 and 41. A winder 20 may be automaticallyoperated, or some combination thereof, as those skilled in the art willappreciate.

ln winder 20, the center drum 22, with its vacuum boxes 65 and 66 andits pressurized boxes 68 and 69 located so as to immediately precede andfollow the contact zone of each of the two core shafts 40 and 41 withsleeves 88 thereon against drum 22 may utilize socalled Venta groovingon its opposed sides of an appropriate spacing to support the coreshafts 40 and 41. the wound web being rolled thereon, whether mounted onor below the horizontal axis 37. The wound roll take-away devices can besimilar to that employed on a conventional winder using, for example, acurved shoe roll lowering table tied in with a guard board, or extendinga guard board out to a conventional takeaway conveyor. At either one ofsuch a take-away conveyor, there can be a station for removal of thecore shafts from sleeves 88, unless a core sleeve 88 is not,alternatively, employed over a core shaft in a winder 20.

The sequence of operation can be as follows: A web 75 initially isunwound (in winder 20, for example, by hand), as from a parent roll, orfrom a machine calendar utilizing a rope system, or the like, and theweb 75 is passed over tension rolls and around a slitter section, andfinally brought up to make contact with a first vacuum box 65 on thecenter drum 22 which holds the web 75 in place for threading. A coreshaft 41 is positioned between the center drum 22 and the right-handdrum 23, and the vacuum is turned on in box 65. As the center drum 22and the right-hand drum 23 revolve in the same direction, the web ispassed around the surface of drum 22 until it makes contact with the nipof core shaft 41 against drum 22, at which point the vacuum of the coreshaft 41 pulls the paper away from the center drum 22, assisted by thepressurized blow box 68 in the drum 22. The vacuumized core shaft 41facilitates and assures a good tight start for web 75, and, as the web75 winds up over core shaft 41, the rider roll 50 (which also serves asa guard roll) is elevated on an inclined path 97 to the right, as apaper roll 98 builds up to its desired usually predetermined diameter,which may be, for example, about 48 inches, but, depending on demandthis diameter can be either more or less, provided appropriatearrangements are designed into the various winder 20 elements andsub-mechanisms, as those skilled in the art will appreciate web 75 isformed of virtually any material,

When a roll 98 has built up to its desired, finished diameter thefollowing transfer procedure may be employed: The second vacuumized box66 is turned on in the center drum 22, and the pressurized box 68, andalso, if desired, depending upon a particular operational modevacuumized box 65, are turned off. The web 75 is taken away from theright-hand wound roll 98, and held to the circumferential surface ofcenter drum 22 until web 75 makes contact with the left-hand vacuum coreshaft 40, at which point web 75 is transferred to the core shaft 40through use of the vacuumized box 66, assisted by the pressurized blowbox 69 in the center drum 22. The web 75 parts when the tensioningforces thereon exceed the web 75 strength, but, on heavy weight webs,this transfer is preferably aided by the use of a traversing tailcutter, perforating air knife, or the like. The new roll 99 on shaft 40can be building up as pusher roll 58 is brought into contact with roll98 so that roll 98 is held continuously in three nip regions provided bythe right-hand drum 23, the rider roll 50, and pusher roll 58, plus,momentarily, by a fourth nip region provided by the center drum 22. Thewound roll 98 of paper is still rotating as the pusher roll 58, workingin conjunction with the rider roll 50 moves roll 98 to the right andremoves roll 98 from contact with the revolvably driven center drum 22.Simultaneously, the right-hand drum 23, and/or pusher roll 58 and/orrider roll 50 may be used as brakes (as indicated above) to retard andstop the roll 98 from rotating. This deceleration is preferably adjustedto completely stop revolutions of roll 98 by the time that the roll 98is at the 12 oclock (vertical) position upon the righthand drum 23, whenroll 98 on a sleeve 88 then may be removed from core shaft 41 andtransferred to (downstream) roll wrapping stations, or the like (notshown). The pusher roll 58 thus continues to move roll 98 over center(relative to drum 23) to a position to the right of center.

The left-hand roll 40 is now building up with web 75 and causing therider roll 49 to move diagonally upwardly. The pusher roll 58 may bebrought into contact with the developing left-hand roll 99, and then isable to assist in removal of a completed roll 99 from contact with drum22 to the left-hand side of the drum 21 analogous to the mannerdescribed for a right-hand roll 98 removal in a sinder 20. While theleft-hand roll 99 is being built up, a new vacuum core shaft 41 and/or asleeve 88 is/are inserted depending on the particular equipmentconfiguration being employed into the right-hand position ready to makesuitable contact with the nips of the center drum 22 the side drum 23and rider roll 50, respectively. When the left hand roll 99 has beenbuilt up to its desired diameter, the vacuum box 65 is then energized,and the transfer is made back over to the core shaft assembly 41 throughthe assist of the high pressure blow box 68 for build up of a (second)roll 98 on the right-hand side. This sequence of operations continuesnormally as long as desired, or as long as there is a continuous supplyof web 75, as from the parent roll, or the like, usually and preferablywithout a need to cut and splice web lengths together.

When a parent roll is used, such is usually large enough to producecontinuously at least several finished rolls such as rolls 98 and 99,and a flying splice arrangement may be made between successive parentrolls on an unwind stand so as to permit continuous operation of awinder such as 20.

In the case of, for example, newsprint machines, a winder can be soarranged as to take newsprint directly from such a machine as newsprintis being produced. The winder 20 drive speeds are then synchronized withpaper machine drive speeds. No reel is required, as off-grade start-uppaper may be wound, for example, on the right side of a winder 20, andthen, after such a paper machine is on grade and up to speed, a transferis accomplished to the left side of such winder 20, and a roll 99 ofstandard quality is prepared.

Winding at paper machine speed, rather than varying.

from a standstill to a maximum of, for example, about three times thatof the machine speed, provides the capability of more uniformly woundrolls with less or minimal tension control equipment. Culled orimperfect rolls may be worked off, for example, during wire changeshutdowns. Culled rolls, if desired, may be subsequently slit, thusmaking possible a small narrow (e.g. 60 inches or even less) which canbe rewound for off machine reworking of slit and culled rolls. Fullwidth culled rolls may also be worked off as parent rolls during wirebreaks.

A web self-threading arrangement for winders of this invention,including a drum 22, blow boxes 68 and 69, and vacuumized cores, may beused and is preferred. The initial threading through a web slittersection as to a drum 22 from a paper machine, can be accomplished by amodified rope system. No adhesive for starting a web on a core 40 or 41is required, but such may be used, if desired, in place of, or incombination with, vacuumized cores. A winder can be adapted to operatewithout the rider rolls and the pusher roll, and also withoutpressurized blow boxes, but such features are much preferred in a winder20 for reasons of safety and ease of operation and discharge. In web 75separation during change-over from one core shaft to the other, a highpressure air knife may be used in conjunction with a drum 22 toperforate heavy basis weight levels to facilitate web transfer from coreto core to aid in a web tension-parting arrangement such as describedabove.

Supply of vacuum to drum 22 and cores 40 and 4 11 may be an intermittentrequirement. Therefore, vacuum surge tanks may be used to cut equipmentcosts for a winder 20. Similarly, the pressurized air supply may also beintermittent to the blow boxes 68 and 69 and to the perforating airknife, if such is used, so that a pressure surge tank may be utilized.Thus, the cost of higher capacity vacuum pumps and air compressors maybe reduced.

An arrangement for allowing more time for roll 98 removal (limited bybuild-up time of for roll 99) may be had by lowering the outer rolls 21and 23 (as shown in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.)

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the winder embodiment shown is designated in itsentirety by the numeral 110. In the winder 110, components whichfunction in a manner similar to or analogously to correspondingcomponents in the embodiment of winder 20 of FIGS. 1 through 7 aresimilarly numbered but with the addition of prime marks thereto. In thewinder 110, the side drums 21' and 23 have their respective axes 36 and38' lowered relative to the axis 37 of drum 22; the axes 36', 37' and38' remain otherwise in spaced parallel relationship one to another.Such an arrangement for drums 21, 22' and 23' permits more time forfinished roll transfer by providing more clearance, and therebyfacilitates discharge of finished rolls, such as roll 98', from thewinder 110. The construction and operation of the winder is otherwisegenerally comparable to that of a winder 20.

In operation, a winder 110 permits more time to transfer a wound rollduring discharge by providing more clearance for build-up of an adjacentroll being wound.

Winder 1110 uses a perforating air knife assembly Ill located in theradially spaced relationship to drum 22 (see FIG. 9). A high pressureair jet from the air knife assembly 111 operates in conjunction with theperforated drum 22' to perforate a web 75' passing between the air knifeassembly 111 and the drum 22'. The resulting perforated web, which is soperforated at the end of a winding operation to form a paper roll 98',is weakened at the points of perforation. Thus, when the stationaryvacuum box 66 is actuated and the web 75 is pulled along thecircumferential face of the drum 22' over the stationary vacuum box 66'to a position between the combination of pressurized box 69' and thevacuumized core shaft 40'. Here, the web 75' parts along the web 75'perforations thus terminating the roll winding operation for roll 98 andpermitting another roll winding operation to commence over thecircumferential surfaces of the core shaft Another embodiment of awinder of this invention is illustrated in FIG. l1, l2 and 13, suchembodiment being designated in its entirety by the numeral 115. Inwinder 115 components similarly functioning, or similar in constructionto, components in winder 20 are similarly numbered, but with theaddition of double prime marks thereto. The winder 115 utilizes anoverhead feed for web which offers an advantage in improved web 75"break and confetti handling characteristics. For web transfer, winder isadapted to operate, for example, as follows: When a finished roll 99" ismoved from contact with drum 22" to a position on solid drum 21" androtation of the roll 99' is decreased, a slack or bag in web 75"develops progressively in circumferential direction about the surface ofdrum 22". The size and shape of such bag 120 may be generally controlledby the use of the vacuum boxes 65" and 66" and the pressurized boxes 68"and 69 behind the roll 22". When the bag 120 enters the nip between acore shaft 40" or 41", as the case may be, and the drum 22", the web 75"breaks, or parts, and the web 75" leading end is transferred to theother of the core shaft 40" or 41, as the case may be.

The embodiment 115 employs a pair of spaced, parallel pusher rolls 58aand 58b with a guide roll 58c therebetween instead of the single pusherroll 58 employed, for example, in the winder 20. The pusher rolls 58aand 58b are utilized here because of the use of a top overhead feed of aweb 75", as those skilled in the art will appreciate; nevertheless, eachof the pusher rolls 58a and 58b function in a manner similar to thatassociated with the single pusher roll 58 of the winder 20, except thatroll 58a operates to the left while roll 58b operates to the right.

A winder of this invention eliminates the necessity for a separatecombination of both a reel and a winder, as in a paper making operation,or the like. In addition, a winder of this invention provides a greateroutput capacity for a given winding mechanism using what may be slower,but which are continuous, operating speeds (compared to thestart-accelerate-decelerate-stop operations of the priorart winders)which permit one to match, if desired, the output of a paper machinedirectly to a winder.

For convenience, wound roll take away means are not shown for theembodiments 110 and 115, but any convenient such means may be employed,such as the means employed in winder 20.

The present invention further relates to a process for continuouslywinding a web of sheet material. The pro cess can be considered to usethe steps of:

A. advancing continuously a web of sheet material at a substantiallyconstant speed,

B. threading the end of such a web upon a core shaft whosecircumferential surface portions are revolvably moving at a speedapproximating that of said so advancing web,

C. winding said so advancing web upon said core shaft while maintainingthe circumferential surface portions of such resulting developing rollat a speed approximating that of said web speed until such developingroll reaches a desired size,

D. cutting (or otherwise slitting, parting, breaking a web more or lesstransversely thereacross relative to the direction of web forwardmovement) said so wound but advancing web as such so advances,

E. threading the end of said so wound and so advancing cut web uponanother core shaft whose circumferential surface portions are revolvablymoving at a speed approximating that of said so advancing web, andfinally,

F. winding said so advancing web upon such other core shaft whilemaintaining the circumferential sur face portions of such resultingdeveloping roll at a speed approximating that of said web speed untilsuch developing roll reaches a desired size.

This process preferablyfurther includes the repetition of such steps(D), (E) and (F) in the above indicated sequence. A sheet material sowound by this process is preferably comprised of a non-woven cellulosiccomposition. Preferably, the core shafts used in such process are eachrevolvably driven by, a single drum, and also are each inidividuallysupported by at least two drums, one of which is such driven drum, andmore preferably the roll being wound is supported by at least threedrums (one of which is a driven drum which drives rotatably the rollbeing wound). In a winding operation of such process, the web beingwound passes over a portion of the circumferential surface portions ofthe so driven drum. Most preferably, the process uses three drums one ofwhich is driven, and also two core shafts on which rolls are alternatelyformed. These three drums are preferably horizontally aligned, and aremost preferably substantially coplanar as respects their individualaxes. Typically in the practice of the process of the present invention,the three drums used either have their respective axes horizontallyaligned (with the two laterally outermost drums being spatially lowerthan the third or central drum) or the three drums have their respectiveaxes substantially horizontally aligned and substantially coplanar.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is seen one embodiment of a center drum,such as drum 22 of winder 20. Such drum 22 employs a cylindrical member122 having a circumferential wall 123 and a pair of opposed end walls124 and 125. The circumferential wall 123 has a plurality of apertures126 defined thereon.

A pair of hollow opposed slot or stub shafts 127 and 128 are used eachone interconnects with a different one of said end walls 124 andrespectively, together with associated pillow blocks 129 and 130 shafts127 and 128 adapted member 122 to axially revolve.

A power head (such as an electric motor 141) including power transfermeans (such as a gear train 142) are 7 adapted to rotatably drive thecylindrical member 122.

A pair of boxes 132 and 133 are provided, each box 132 and 133 has aninterior which is adapted to be maintained at and subatmosphericpressures. Each box 132 and 133 is positioned inside cylindrical member122 in circumferentially spaced relationship to each other. Each box 132and 133 has an apertured face in adjacent, generally spaced relationshipto a different interior portion of said circumferential wall 123. Thedimensions of each such interior portions are such that each has a pairof circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallelthe axis of the cylindrical member 122 and a pair of longitudinallyspaced circumferentially extending borders parallel to the end walls 124and 125.

A pair of stationary rod members 135 and 136 as provided. Each rodmember 135 and 136 extend through a different one of said slot or stubshafts 135 and 136, respectively, and the rod members 135 and 136include engagement means mounting such rod members 135 and 136 to thepair of boxes 132 and 133 and adopting such boxes 132 and 133 to bestationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member 122.

Passageways defined by tabs 137 and 138, channel 139 in rod 135, andtube 140 interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes 132 and 133to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes 132 and 133 witha source of subatmospheric pressure (not shown) positioned exteriorly ofsaid cylindrical member 122. Such passageways thus extend through atleast one slot staft 127 and 128. During operation of said drum assembly122, subatmospheric pressures are thus maintained in each one of saidpair of boxes 132 and 133, as desired, so that the exterior portions ofsaid circumferential wall opposite each of said interior portions arevacuumizable.

The drum assembly 132 preferably including a second pair of boxes (notdetailed in FIG. 14) whose respective interiors are adapted to bemaintained at superatmospheric pressures. Each such box of such secondpair is positioned inside said cylindrical member 122 incircumferentially spaced relationship to the other thereof; each suchsecond box has an apertured face in adjacent, generally spacedrelationship to a different second interior position of said cylindricalwall. Each such second interior positions, similarly has a pair ofcircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel tothe axes of said cylindrical member and further has a pair oflongitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel tosaid end walls 124 and 125. Each one of said second pair of boxes isadjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction ofrotation of the cylindrical member 122, of a different one of said pairof boxes 132 and 133. Such second pair of boxes is similarly supportedto said pair of stationary rod members, 135 and 136.

Second conduit means,- such as tube 142, are provided for connectingeach one of the second pair of boxes with a source of superatmosphericpressure positioned externally of said cylindrical member 122. Each suchconduit means passes longitudinally through the interior of at least oneof said slot shafts 122 and 128. Thus, during operation of the drumassembly 122, superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one ofsaid second pair of boxes, as desired so that the exterior portions ofsaid circumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portionsare pressurizable.

Preferably such a drum assembly 122 may be considered to include both asource of subatmospheric pressure and a source of superatmosphericpressure.

Other and further embodiments and various of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thepresent specification taken together with the drawings and no unduelimitations are to be inferred or implied from the present disclosure.

The claims are:

1. In a winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuousoperation the subcombination comprising A. three axially revolvablymounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generallycylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generallyaligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said sidewall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one toanother, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from theother with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with theaxis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drumhaving a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,

B. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable coreshaft members, one such corc shaft member being positioned with itscircumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums andsaid third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positionedwith its circumferential side walls supported by the other'of saidoutermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted torotatablly drive said core shaft members,

C. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially locatedwithin but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said thirddrum, each of said vacuum box means being circumferentially spaced fromthe other thereof, each one of said vacuum box means terminating at aposition longitudinally across the circumference of said third rollwhich just precedes the position longitudinally where a different one ofsaid core shaft members, when such is positioned in said means foraxially revolvably mounting such, contacts said third roll initially,each one of said vacuum box members being adapted to exert a reduced gaspressure through said third drum, and

D. a pair of stationary pressurized box means circumferentially locatedwithin but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of said thirddrum, each of said pressurized box means being circumferentially spacedfrom the other thereof, each one of said pressurized box meanscommencing at a position longitudinally across the circumference of saidthird roll which just precedes the position longitudinally where adifferent one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned insaid means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said thirdroll initially, each one of said pressurized box means being adapted toexert a superatmospheric gas pressure through said third drum.

2. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operationcomprising A. Three axially revolvably mounted drums including mountingmeans therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, theaxes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallelrelationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drumsbeing in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterallyoutermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drumbeing centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not belowthe axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality ofapertures defined in its said side wall portions,

B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at asubstantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation,

C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable coreshaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with itscircumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums andsaid third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positionedwith its circumferential side walls supported by the other of said out.-ermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted torotatably drive said core shaft members,

D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mountingmeans adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away fromsaid drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remainingequally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of saidoutermost drums,

E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mountingmeans therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have itscircumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one ofsaid core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to haveits circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of theother of said core shaft members,

F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls andadapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but withthe axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective pathsincreasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said coreshaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums,

G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mountingmeans therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxiallyspaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adaptedto function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one ofsaid core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a woundroll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of saidcore shaft members,

H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumfera pair of pressurizedbox means circumferentially located behind said third drum, each onethereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each onethereof commencing at a position along the circumference of said thirdroll which just precedes the position where a different one of said coreshaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof beingadapted to exert if desired a superatmospheric pressure through saidthird drum, and

J. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed oversaid web quide means to said third drum.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including: A. means for vacuumizingeach of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means,

B. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means. and

C. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet materialto said third drum.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:

A. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of saidoutermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regionsofeach of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a webof sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusherroll means, and

B. control means for operating cooperatively. functionally, andsequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means,said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means forvacuumizing, said means for pressurizing. said cutting means, saidpusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind aweb ofsheet material continuously on first one, then the other of saidcore shaft members.

5. A winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operationcomprising A. three axially revolvably mounted drums including mountingmeans therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, theaxes of said drums being generally horizontally aligned and in spaced,parallel relationship with each other, said side wall portions of saiddrums being in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the twolaterally outermost drums being horizontally displaced one from theother with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with theaxis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drumhaving a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,

B. drive means adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at asubstantially constant speed and in one direction of rotation,

C. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable coreshaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with itscircumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums andsaid third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positionedwith its circumferential side walls supported by the other of saidoutermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted torotatably drive said core shaft members,

D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvable mountingmeans adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardly away fromsaid drums with the axis of each of said core shaft members remainingequally distant from both said third drum and the nearest one of saidoutermost drums,

E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted rider rolls including mountingmeans therefor, one such rider roll being adapted to have itscircumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of one ofsaid core shaft members, the other such rider roll being adapted to haveits circumferential side walls contact an upper side wall portion of theother of said core shaft members,

F. second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls andadapted to raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but withthe axis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective pathsincreasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said coreshaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums,

G. an axially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mountingmeans therefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxiallyspaced relationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adaptedto function as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one ofsaid core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a woundroll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of saidcore shaft members,

H. a pair of stationary vacuum box means circumferentially locatedbehind but adjacent said third drum, each one thereof beingcircumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one thereofterminating at a position along the circumference of said third rollwhich just precedes the position where a different one of said coreshaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof beingadapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum,

. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind saidthird drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from theother thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along thecircumference of said third roll which just precedes the position wherea different one of said core shaft members contacts said third rollinitially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired asuperatmospheric presssure through said third drum,

J. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuumbox means,

K. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means,

L. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet materialto said third drum,

M. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed oversaid web guide means to said third drum,

N. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of saidoutermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regionsof each of said core shaft members after such has been wound with a webof sheet material and has been shifted from said drums by said pusherroll means, and

0. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, andsequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means,said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means forvacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, saidpusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind aweb of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of saidcore shaft members.

6. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontallyaligned and substantially coplanar.

7. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontallyaligned and wherein said two laterally outermost drums are orientedspatially lower than said third drum.

8. The winder of claim 5 further including deceleration means forbraking rotation of a wound roll comprised of a web of sheet materialafter such wound roll is lifted away from said centrally disposed drumby said pusher roll means during operation of said winder.

9. The winder of claim 5 wherein each of said laterally outermost drumsis equipped with deceleration means for braking rotation thereof to afull stop when desired during operation of said winder.

10. The winder of claim 2 further including web guide means adapted tofeed a said web to circumferential surface portions of said third drum.

11. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is under-fed thereto by saidweb guide means.

12. The winder ofclaim 10 wherein said web is over head fed thereto bysaid web guide means.

13. A drum assembly adapted for use in a three-drum winder comprising A.a cylindrical member having a circumferential wall and a pair of opposedend walls, said circumferential wall having a plurality of aperturesdefined therein,

B. a pair of hollow opposed stub shafts, each one interconnected with adifferent one of said end walls and, together with associated] journalmeans, being adapted to axially revolve said cylindrical member,

C. a power head, including power transfer means, adapted to rotatablydrive said cylindrical member.

D. a pair of boxes whose respective interiors are adapted to bemaintained at subatinospheric pressures, each such box being positionedinside said cylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationshipto the other thereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent,generally spaced relationship to a different interior portion of saidcircumferential wall each such interior portion having a pair ofcircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel tothe axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair oflongitudinally spaced, circumferentially extending borders parallel tosaid end walls,

E. a pair of stationary rod members each one extending through adifferent one of said stub shafts said rod members including engagementmeans mounting said rod members of said pair of boxes and adapting saidboxes to be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member,

F. conduit means interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes andadapted to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes with asource of subatmospheric pressure positioned exeriorly of saidcylindrical member, each said conduit means extending longitudinallythrough the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby duringoperation of said drum assembly subatmospheric pressures aremaintainable in each one of said pair of boxes as desired so that theexterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of saidinterior portions are vacuumizab le.

14. The drum assembly of claim 13 further including A. a second pair ofboxes whose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained atsuperatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside saidcylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the otherthereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spacedrelationship to a different second interior portion of saidcircumferential wall, each such second interior portion having a pair ofcircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel tothe axis of said cylindrical member and further having a pair oflongitudinally spaced circumferentially extending borders parallel tosaid end walls, each one of said second pair of boxes being adjacent thetrailing longitudinal border, relative to the direction of rotation ofsaid cylindrical member, of a different one of said pair of boxes,

B. said second pair of boxes being mounted to said pair of stationaryrod members,

C. second conduit means interconnected with each one of said second pairof boxes and adapted to join the interior of each one of said secondpair of boxes with a source of superatmospheric pressure positionedexteriorly of said cylindrical member, each of said conduit meansextending longitudinally through the interior of at least one of saidstub shafts whereby during operation of said drum assemblysuperatmospheric pressures are maintainable in each one of said secondpair of boxes as desired so that the exterior portions of saidcircumferential wall opposite each of said second interior portions arepressurizable.

15. The drum assembly of claim 14 further including a source ofsubatmospheric pressure and a source of superatmospheric pressure.

16. A winder for a web of sheet material comprising:

a frame;

a drive drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum having acylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures and having means forselectively creating a vacuum at a first and second surface area of thecylindrical wall, said areas being eircumferentially spaced from eachother;

means for rotating the drum;

a pair of cylindrical support drums rotatably for movement between aposition engaging both the surface of the drive drum adjacent the secondsurface area and a surface of the other of the pair of support drums totransfer movement therebetween and a second position remote from thefirst position, so that selectively creating a vacuum at the first andsecond area selectively threads the web on one of the pair of coreshafts for winding and shifting the vacuum between the two areas causestransfer of the web to the other of the pair of core shaft.

7 17. A winder according to claim 16, which includes means for cuttingthe web.

18. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drumand support drums are horizontally aligned and substantially co-planar.

19. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes of the drive drumand support drums are horizontally algined and the axis of the drivedrum-is oriented above the axis of the support drums.

20. A winder according to claim 16, which includes a pair of riderrolls, each roll being axially rotatably mounted and adapted to have aportion of its circumferential side walls contaet an upper side wallportion of one of said core shaft members and also a portion of a webmaterial being wound thereon during operation of the winder.

21. A winder according to claim 20, which further includes axiallyrevolvably mounted pusher roll means adapted to function as guide meansfor a roll of a web material being wound during operation of said winderand further adapted to function as a shift means for a wound roll of theweb material.

22. A winder according to claim 16, which includes shiftable means abovethe drive drum for engaging a roll wound on a core shaft and moving therollout of engagement with the drive drum.

23. A process for continuously winding a web of sheet materialcomprising the steps of:

providing a device having a rotatable drum having a cylindrical wallwith a plurality of apertures therein, said drum having means forselectively creating a vacuum at first and second surface areas whichare eircumferentially spaced on the cylindrical walls, said devicehaving means for positioning a core shaft in engagement withcircumferential wall adjacent the first and second areas to rotate withsaid drum;

rotating the drum at a constant speed to rotate the core shaft with acircumference speed of the cylindrical wall;

continuously advancing a web of sheet material to the drum at a speedcorresponding to the cylindrical surface speed of the drum;

creating a vacuum at said first area to thread the end of the webbetween the drum and a first core shaft positioned adjacent to the firstarea and onto the core shaft;

winding the advancing web upon the first core shaft while maintainingthe circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll inengagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desiredsize;

cutting the advancing web;

shifting the vacuum to the second area of the drum to then transfer theend of the advancing web between the drum and the second core shaftengaging the surface of the drum adjacent the second area and onto thesecond core shaft; and

winding the advancing web upon the second core shaft while maintainingthe circumferential surface portions of the resulting developing roll inengagement with the drum until the developing roll reaches a desiredsize.

24. A process according to claim 23, wherein the step the second roll isbeing wound, the third core is in posi- I tion to start winding a thirdroll upon completion of the winding of the second roll.

UNITED STATES PATENT errrce QERTIFICATE 0F PATENT NO. 3, 869, 095

DATED March 4, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Jack L. Diltz It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

Column 18, claim 13, paragraph E., line 4, change "said rod members of"to said rod members to;

- "exerior'ty" to --exterior1y-=-;

Column 19, claim 16, line :41, change "a position" to a first position;

lines 24 and 25, cancel "to transfer movement therebetween".

I3i ned and sealed this 1st day of July 1.975

(SE-311,) lttestz C. Bali- N RUTIT 8,, 31913021 Commissiorr'rer 0:?Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks

1. In a winder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuousoperation the subcombination comprising A. three axially revolvablymounted drums including mounting means therefor each having generallycylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drums being generallyaligned and in spaced, parallel relationship with each other, said sidewall portions of said drums being in adjacent spaced relationship one toanother, the two laterally outermost drums being displaced one from theother with the third drum being centrally disposed therebetween with theaxis thereof not below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drumhaving a plurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions,B. means for axially revolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable coreshaft members, one such core shaft member being positioned with itscircumferential side walls supported by one of said outermost drums andsaid third drum, the other of such core shaft members being positionedwith its circumferential side walls supported by the other of saidoutermost drums and said third drum whereby said drums are adapted torotatably drive said core shaft members, C. a pair of stationary vacuumbox means circumferentially located within but adjacent said cylindricalside wall portions of said third drum, each of said vacuum box meansbeing circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each one of saidvacuum box means terminating at a position longitudinally across thecircumference of said third roll which just precedes the positionlongitudinally where a different one of said core shaft members, whensuch is positioned in said means for axially revolvably mounting such,contacts said third roll initially, each one of said vacuum box membersbeing adapted to exert a reduced gas pressure through said third drum,and D. a pair of stationary pressurized box means circumferentiallylocated within but adjacent said cylindrical side wall portions of saidthird drum, each of said pressurized box means being circumferentiallyspaced from the other thereof, each one of said pressurized box meanscommencing at a position longitudinally across the circumference of saidthird roll which just precedes the position longitudinally wherE adifferent one of said core shaft members, when such is positioned insaid means for axially revolvably mounting such, contacts said thirdroll initially, each one of said pressurized box means being adapted toexert a superatmospheric gas pressure through said third drum.
 2. Awinder for a web of sheet material adapted for continuous operationcomprising A. Three axially revolvably mounted drums including mountingmeans therefor each having generally cylindrical side wall portions, theaxes of said drums being generally aligned and in spaced, parallelrelationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drumsbeing in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterallyoutermost drums being displaced one from the other with the third drumbeing centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereof not belowthe axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having a plurality ofapertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drive means adaptedto drive revolvably said third drum at a substantially constant speedand in one direction of rotation, C. means for axially revolvablymounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one such core shaftmember being positioned with its circumferential side walls supported byone of said outermost drums and said third drum, the other of such coreshaft members being positioned with its circumferential side wallssupported by the other of said outermost drums and said third drumwhereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaftmembers, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvablemounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardlyaway from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft membersremaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest oneof said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted riderrolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll beingadapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper sidewall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such riderroll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact anupper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F.second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adaptedto raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with theaxis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective pathsincreasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said coreshaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. anaxially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting meanstherefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spacedrelationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted tofunction as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one ofsaid core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a woundroll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of saidcore shaft members, H. a pair of stationary vacuum box meanscircumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each onethereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each onethereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said thirdroll which just precedes the position where a different one of said coreshaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof beingadapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum,I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind saidthird drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from theother thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along thecircumference of said third roll which just precedes the position wherea different one of said core shaft members contacts said third rollinitially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired asuperatmospheric pressure through said third drum, and J. cuttiNg meansadapted to sever a web of sheet material being fed over said web quidemeans to said third drum.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further including:A. means for vacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuumbox means, B. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means,and C. web guide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheetmaterial to said third drum.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 furtherincluding: A. a pair of rail means outwardly positioned adjacent eachone of said outermost drums and adapted to receive and support opposedend regions of each of said core shaft members after such has been woundwith a web of sheet material and has been shifted from said drums bysaid pusher roll means, and B. control means for operatingcooperatively, functionally, and sequentially each one of said first andsecond extensible support means, said vacuum box means, said pressurizedbox means, said means for vacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, saidcutting means, said pusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt asaid winder to wind a web of sheet material continuously on first one,then the other of said core shaft members.
 5. A winder for a web ofsheet material adapted for continuous operation comprising A. threeaxially revolvably mounted drums including mounting means therefor eachhaving generally cylindrical side wall portions, the axes of said drumsbeing generally horizontally aligned and in spaced, parallelrelationship with each other, said side wall portions of said drumsbeing in adjacent spaced relationship one to another, the two laterallyoutermost drums being horizontally displaced one from the other with thethird drum being centrally disposed therebetween with the axis thereofnot below the axes of said outermost drums, said third drum having aplurality of apertures defined in its said side wall portions, B. drivemeans adapted to drive revolvably said third drum at a substantiallyconstant speed and in one direction of rotation, C. means for axiallyrevolvably mounting a pair of vacuumizable core shaft members, one suchcore shaft member being positioned with its circumferential side wallssupported by one of said outermost drums and said third drum, the otherof such core shaft members being positioned with its circumferentialside walls supported by the other of said outermost drums and said thirddrum whereby said drums are adapted to rotatably drive said core shaftmembers, D. first extensible support means for each of said revolvablemounting means adapted to raise said revolvable mounting means upwardlyaway from said drums with the axis of each of said core shaft membersremaining equally distant from both said third drum and the nearest oneof said outermost drums, E. a pair of axially revolvably mounted riderrolls including mounting means therefor, one such rider roll beingadapted to have its circumferential side walls contact an upper sidewall portion of one of said core shaft members, the other such riderroll being adapted to have its circumferential side walls contact anupper side wall portion of the other of said core shaft members, F.second extensible support means for each of said rider rolls and adaptedto raise said rider rolls upwardly away from said drums but with theaxis of each of such rider rolls moving along respective pathsincreasingly inclined with respect to the paths followed by said coreshaft members, axes with increasing distance from said drums, G. anaxially revolvably mounted pusher roll means including mounting meanstherefor and support means therefor positioned above in coaxially spacedrelationship to said drums, said pusher roll means being adapted tofunction as a guide roll during a winding operation on either one ofsaid core shaft members and being further adapted to function as a woundroll shifter at the end of a winding operation on either one of saidcore shaft members, H. a pAir of stationary vacuum box meanscircumferentially located behind but adjacent said third drum, each onethereof being circumferentially spaced from the other thereof, each onethereof terminating at a position along the circumference of said thirdroll which just precedes the position where a different one of said coreshaft members contacts said third roll initially, each one thereof beingadapted to exert if desired a reduced, pressure through said third drum,I. a pair of pressurized box means circumferentially located behind saidthird drum, each one thereof being circumferentially spaced from theother thereof, each one thereof commencing at a position along thecircumference of said third roll which just precedes the position wherea different one of said core shaft members contacts said third rollinitially, each one thereof being adapted to exert if desired asuperatmospheric presssure through said third drum, J. means forvacuumizing each of said core shaft members and said vacuum box means,K. means for pressurizing each of said pressurized box means, L. webguide means adapted to deliver and guide a web of sheet material to saidthird drum, M. cutting means adapted to sever a web of sheet materialbeing fed over said web guide means to said third drum, N. a pair ofrail means outwardly positioned adjacent each one of said outermostdrums and adapted to receive and support opposed end regions of each ofsaid core shaft members after such has been wound with a web of sheetmaterial and has been shifted from said drums by said pusher roll means,and O. control means for operating cooperatively, functionally, andsequentially each one of said first and second extensible support means,said vacuum box means, said pressurized box means, said means forvacuumizing, said means for pressurizing, said cutting means, saidpusher roll, and said rider rolls so as to adapt a said winder to wind aweb of sheet material continuously on first one, then the other of saidcore shaft members.
 6. The winder of claim 2 wherein said drums havetheir axes horizontally aligned and substantially coplanar.
 7. Thewinder of claim 2 wherein said drums have their axes horizontallyaligned and wherein said two laterally outermost drums are orientedspatially lower than said third drum.
 8. The winder of claim 5 furtherincluding deceleration means for braking rotation of a wound rollcomprised of a web of sheet material after such wound roll is liftedaway from said centrally disposed drum by said pusher roll means duringoperation of said winder.
 9. The winder of claim 5 wherein each of saidlaterally outermost drums is equipped with deceleration means forbraking rotation thereof to a full stop when desired during operation ofsaid winder.
 10. The winder of claim 2 further including web guide meansadapted to feed a said web to circumferential surface portions of saidthird drum.
 11. The winder of claim 10 wherein said web is under-fedthereto by said web guide means.
 12. The winder of claim 10 wherein saidweb is overhead fed thereto by said web guide means.
 13. A drum assemblyadapted for use in a three-drum winder comprising A. a cylindricalmember having a circumferential wall and a pair of opposed end walls,said circumferential wall having a plurality of apertures definedtherein, B. a pair of hollow opposed stub shafts, each oneinterconnected with a different one of said end walls and, together withassociated journal means, being adapted to axially revolve saidcylindrical member, C. a power head, including power transfer means,adapted to rotatably drive said cylindrical member, D. a pair of boxeswhose respective interiors are adapted to be maintained atsubatmospheric pressures, each such box being positioned inside saidcylindrical member in circumferentially spaced relationship to the otherthereof, each box having an apertured face in adjacent, generally spacedrElationship to a different interior portion of said circumferentialwall each such interior portion having a pair of circumferentiallyspaced, longitudinally extending borders parallel to the axis of saidcylindrical member and further having a pair of longitudinally spaced,circumferentially extending borders parallel to said end walls, E. apair of stationary rod members each one extending through a differentone of said stub shafts said rod members including engagement meansmounting said rod members of said pair of boxes and adapting said boxesto be stationary during revolutions of said cylindrical member, F.conduit means interconnected with each one of said pair of boxes andadapted to join the interior of each one of said pair of boxes with asource of subatmospheric pressure positioned exeriorly of saidcylindrical member, each said conduit means extending longitudinallythrough the interior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby duringoperation of said drum assembly subatmospheric pressures aremaintainable in each one of said pair of boxes as desired so that theexterior portions of said circumferential wall opposite each of saidinterior portions are vacuumizable.
 14. The drum assembly of claim 13further including A. a second pair of boxes whose respective interiorsare adapted to be maintained at superatmospheric pressures, each suchbox being positioned inside said cylindrical member in circumferentiallyspaced relationship to the other thereof, each box having an aperturedface in adjacent, generally spaced relationship to a different secondinterior portion of said circumferential wall, each such second interiorportion having a pair of circumferentially spaced, longitudinallyextending borders parallel to the axis of said cylindrical member andfurther having a pair of longitudinally spaced circumferentiallyextending borders parallel to said end walls, each one of said secondpair of boxes being adjacent the trailing longitudinal border, relativeto the direction of rotation of said cylindrical member, of a differentone of said pair of boxes, B. said second pair of boxes being mounted tosaid pair of stationary rod members, C. second conduit meansinterconnected with each one of said second pair of boxes and adapted tojoin the interior of each one of said second pair of boxes with a sourceof superatmospheric pressure positioned exteriorly of said cylindricalmember, each of said conduit means extending longitudinally through theinterior of at least one of said stub shafts whereby during operation ofsaid drum assembly superatmospheric pressures are maintainable in eachone of said second pair of boxes as desired so that the exteriorportions of said circumferential wall opposite each of said secondinterior portions are pressurizable.
 15. The drum assembly of claim 14further including a source of subatmospheric pressure and a source ofsuperatmospheric pressure.
 16. A winder for a web of sheet materialcomprising: a frame; a drive drum mounted for rotation in said frame,said drum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures andhaving means for selectively creating a vacuum at a first and secondsurface area of the cylindrical wall, said areas being circumferentiallyspaced from each other; means for rotating the drum at a constant speed;a pair of cylindrical support drums rotatably mounted in the frame onopposite sides of the drive drum with their axes parallel to the axis ofthe drive drum; a pair of core shafts; means for rotatably mounting oneof the pair of core shaft on the frame for movement between a positionengaging both the surface of the drive drum adjacent said first surfacearea and a surface of one of the pair of support drums to transfermovement therebetween and a second position withdrawn therefrom; andmeans for rotatably mounting the other of the pair of core shafts on theframe for movement between a position engaging both the surfacE of thedrive drum adjacent the second surface area and a surface of the otherof the pair of support drums to transfer movement therebetween and asecond position withdrawn therefrom, so that selectively creating avacuum at the first and second area selectively threads the web on oneof the pair of core shafts for winding and shifting the vacuum betweenthe two areas causes transfer of the web to the other of the pair ofcore shaft.
 17. A winder according to claim 16, which includes means forcutting the web.
 18. A winder according to claim 16, wherein the axes ofthe drive drum and support drums are horizontally aligned andsubstantially co-planar.
 19. A winder according to claim 16, wherein theaxes of the drive drum and support drums are horizontally algined andthe axis of the drive drum is oriented above the axis of the supportdrums.
 20. A winder according to claim 16, which includes a pair ofrider rolls, each roll being axially rotatably mounted and adapted tohave a portion of its circumferential side walls contact an upper sidewall portion of one of said core shaft members and also a portion of aweb material being wound thereon during operation of the winder.
 21. Awinder according to claim 20, which further includes axially revolvablymounted pusher roll means adapted to function as guide means for a rollof a web material being wound during operation of said winder andfurther adapted to function as a shift means for a wound roll of the webmaterial.
 22. A winder according to claim 16, which includes shiftablemeans mounted on the frame above the drive drum for engaging a rollwound on a core shaft and moving the roll out of engagement with thedrive drum.
 23. A process for continuously winding a web of sheetmaterial comprising the steps of: providing a device having a rotatabledrum having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of apertures therein,said drum having means for selectively creating a vacuum at first andsecond surface areas which are circumferentially spaced on thecylindrical walls, said device having means for positioning a core shaftin engagement with circumferential wall adjacent the first and secondareas to rotate with said drum; rotating the drum at a constant speed torotate the core shaft with a circumference speed of the cylindricalwall; continuously advancing a web of sheet material to the drum at aspeed corresponding to the cylindrical surface speed of the drum;creating a vacuum at said first area to thread the end of the webbetween the drum and a first core shaft positioned adjacent to the firstarea and onto the core shaft; winding the advancing web upon the firstcore shaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of theresulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until thedeveloping roll reaches a desired size; cutting the advancing web;shifting the vacuum to the second area of the drum to then transfer theend of the advancing web between the drum and the second core shaftengaging the surface of the drum adjacent the second area and onto thesecond core shaft; and winding the advancing web upon the second coreshaft while maintaining the circumferential surface portions of theresulting developing roll in engagement with the drum until thedeveloping roll reaches a desired size.
 24. A process according to claim23, wherein the step of shifting the vacuum includes moving the firstcore shaft and its developed roll out of engagement with the drumsurface.
 25. A process according to claim 24, which includes braking therotational movement of the first core after movement from engagementuntil the drum surface, removing the first core shaft and roll, andplacing a third core shaft in the means for positioning so that as thesecond roll is being wound, the third core is in position to startwinding a third roll upon completion of the winding of the second roll.